Sample Workplace Survey

Questions

Steve Babson
Labor Studies Center
313.577.2191
s.babson@wayne.edu

Page
2 A - Contract Wish Lists
3 B - Productivity & Quality
5 C - Management & Supervisory Practice
6 D - Workload, Working Conditions, Work Rules
10 E - Health & Safety
 A-Contract Wish Lists
A-1) From the list below, rank the top four issues you would like to see addressed in
collective bargaining, with one (1) indicating most important, two (2) next most
important, etc.
a ___improved dental and vision plan b ___worker input on decision making
c ___improved pensions d ___Cost of Living Adjustment to wages
e ___improved health care coverage f ___ restrictions on contracting
g ___personal days h ___job protection and security
i ___ wage increases j ___ holiday and overtime premium rates
k___ Other______________________________________________________________
Comment:_________________________________________________________

A-2) On a scale of one (1) to ten (10), with 1 indicating the highest importance, please
circle the number that indicates the importance to you of the following bargaining issues:
Very important Not important
Wages 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Vacation days 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Pension 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Shift Premiums 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Attendance 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Limits on management working our jobs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
safety shoes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
uniform provision 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
right to strike over safety 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
seniority rights 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
schedule full week vacation blocks
before single days 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
insource contracted work (lawn, truck 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
driving, janitorial, snow removal) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Paid Holidays 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Triple OT on weekend holiday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
OT Assigned in weekly allotments 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
 B - Productivity & Quality
B-1) In your experience, how often has poor-quality work by contractors had to be
redone or completed by additional labor? Fill in the circle for the appropriate answer.
always often sometimes rarely never
For example:______________________________________________________

B-2) Over the last two years, how has management typically responded to cost-saving
suggestions from workers?
i)__supervisor ignores ii)__implements, but management takes credit
iii)__not implemented iv)__implemented and worker gets credit for it
Comment:_________________________________________________________

B-3) a) Over the last two years, how have changes in your work area impacted:
i)Staffing levels: __negative impact __no impact __positive impact
ii)Work stress: __negative impact __no impact __positive impact
iii)Work load: __negative impact __no impact __positive impact
iv) Skills Training __negative impact __no impact __positive impact
v) Maintenance __negative impact __no impact __positive impact
vi)____________: __negative impact __no impact __positive impact
Comment:_________________________________________________________
b) How have these changes directly or indirectly impacted quality?
__negative impact __no impact __positive impact
Comment:_________________________________________________________

B-4) Which of the following stands in the way of doing your job more efficiently?
__Poor planning __Inadequate tools __Poor quality parts/supplies
__Poor supervision __Lack of training __Other workers
__Product design __Poor ergonomics __Erratic delivery of parts/supplies
__Process changes __Work environment __Machine malfunction
__Nothing (alls well) __Other. Describe:__________________________
Comment:_________________________________________________________
B-5) Do you agree or disagree with the statement Ive been provided with the
opportunity to upgrade myself and learn new skills.
__Strongly Agree __Agree __No opinion __Disagree __Strongly disagree
Comment:_________________________________________________________

B-6) To what degree is preventive maintenance implemented in your area, where one (1)
indicates consistent maintenance routines to avoid breakdowns, and ten (10) indicates a
Wait till it breaks approach?
Preventive Maintenance Wait till it Breaks
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Comment:_________________________________________________________

B-7) a) In a typical week, how often is work flow in your immediate area interrupted?
__never __rarely __sometimes __often __always
b) Caused by:
Lack of parts/supplies __never __rarely __sometimes __often __always
Wrong parts/supplies __never __rarely __sometimes __often __always
Poor quality parts __never __rarely __sometimes __often __always
Machine failure __never __rarely __sometimes __often __always
Lack of personnel __never __rarely __sometimes __often __always
Untrained personnel __never __rarely __sometimes __often __always
Upstream problems __never __rarely __sometimes __often __always
Comment:_________________________________________________________

B-8) a) How often does work-in-progress arrive at your station requiring rework?
__always __often __sometimes __rarely __never
For example:_________________________________________________
b) If sometimes or more, have you been provided adequate training for rework?
__no __yes Comment:_______________________________________
 C Management & Supervisory Practice
C-1) On average, how would you evaluate supervisions contribution to operations?
On the scale provided, pick a point between the two extremes and fill the circle.
<<<<< >>>>>
a) helps solve problems seeks someone to blame
b) listens to people lectures to people
c) responds to peoples needs rigid and by the book
d) praises good work finds fault
e) reliable arbitrary
f) treats people the same plays favorites
Comment:_________________________________________________________

C-2) The companys [name] Principles call for on-the-job empowering of employees
who are engaged in improving productivity and quality. To what degree has management
implemented these principles in your area?
__always __often __sometimes __rarely __never
Comment:_________________________________________________________

C-3) In your experience, does management withdraw or deny resources, training, or staff
as an excuse for contracting out?
___Never ___Seldom ___Often ___Always
Comments:________________________________________________

C-4) Since management has recently talked of a "new era of teamwork and trust," how
much do you think plant management really trusts its hourly workers, on a scale of 1 to
10?
No trust Full Trust
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Comment:_____________________________________________
 D-Workload, Working Conditions, Work Rules
D-1) In general, how have working conditions changed over the last XX years (or since
you hired in)?
a) Physical conditions are __better __the same __worse
b) Work intensity is __harder __no change __easier
c) Training for the job is __increased __no change __less
d) Supervisors treat me __better __the same __worse
e) My weekly overtime hours __1-5 __6-10 __11-15
f) I find my job interesting __more so __the same __less
g) My suggestions count __often __sometimes __rarely
h) I am asked for my opinion __frequently __sometimes __seldom
i) I have been injured on job __recently __in the past __never
j) Quality is a co. priority __always __sometimes __rarely
Comments:__________________________________________

D-2) How would you rate your current workload?

__Properly balanced __Heavy __Stressful __Can't sustain
Comments:________________________________________________________

D-3) The production rates on your job are:

__Too high __High __OK __Low __Too low
Comments:________________________________________________________

D-4) If the present level of work intensity continues:

__I can stay healthy and make it to retirement
__I will likely be injured or worn out before I retire
Comments:_______________________________________________________

D-5) Considering the current work intensity of your job and the value you create for the
company, how do you feel about your current level of compensation?
__its too low __its about right __its too high
Comments:________________________________________________________

D-6) a) My Program Work Sheet has been changed without my consultation:

__never __once __several times __many times
b) The changes made my job:
__easier __harder __no difference __other:___________
Comments:________________________________________________________
D-7) When layoffs have to occur, how should seniority order apply for able and capable
workers?
__plantwide __by department only __by area only __by team only
Comments:________________________________________________________

D-8) a) Are job openings posted fairly so that all employees are aware of new
opportunities?
__always __often __sometimes __rarely __never
b) In filling job openings, what is/are the typical criteria for selection? (Choose no
more than three)
__Length of service (seniority)
__Affirmative action (where there has been a previous imbalance)
__Ability and training to do the particular job
__First to apply
__Favoritism (opponents punished, friends favored for jobs and training)
__Nepotism (family are favored)
__Discriminatory (gender, race, &/or ethnicity determines choice)
Comments:________________________________________________________

D-9) Currently there are two wage classification: skilled and production. How important
is it that we establish more classifications with appropriate wage rates to reflect the varied
demands of the work (i.e., fork lift operators, press operators, spot welders, arc welders,
material handlers, janitors, quality control inspectors, die setters, set-up person...)
__Very important __Important __Fairly important __Not important
Comments:________________________________________________________

D-10) How would you evaluate the current attendance language?

__Too strict __Fair __Too forgiving __Dont know
Comments:________________________________________________________

D-11) a) Have you ever requested a leave of absence (ie., for medical, family,
bereavement, jury duty, military, educational, union, general)?
__No, no need __No, too difficult __No, didnt know I could __Yes
b) If yes, how did the company facilitate your request?
__Ignored __Slow response __Acceptable response __Very responsive
Comments:________________________________________________________
D-12) How are opportunities for voluntary overtime usually distributed in your area?
Pick the process that is most typical:
a) __First offered to person with lowest previous hours, then next lowest, etc.
b) __First offered to employees favored by supervisor
c) __Only offered to employees favored by supervisor
d) __First offered to most senior worker, then next most senior, etc.
e) __Only offered to those trained for particular job
If e): Is training available on equitable basis? __yes __no
f)__Other:_________________________________________________________
Comments:________________________________________________________

D-13) Is excessive overtime a problem in your area?__yes __no

If yes, which of the following remedies would solve the problem?
__more workers __more training __better planning
__better use of qualified personnel __better notice
__other_____________________________________________________

D-14) Which of the following best describes the role of the (Hourly) Team Leader?
[Note: all survey answers are confidential. The union wants to know how teams are
operating across the facility and how to improve their effectiveness, not who to
discipline.]
Team leader is:
a)__Positive: looks out for team members, is fair and competent, solves problems
b)__Hard to find: often called away to meetings or filing in for absentees
c)__Hard to find: often absent
d)__Negative: Is a junior foreman, throws weight around, plays favorites
e)__Negative: Is poorly trained, doesnt know jobs, poor people skills
f)__Other:_________________________________________________________
Comments:________________________________________________________

D-15) How should team leaders be selected?

__Appointed by supervisor __Election by group __Highest seniority applicant
__Testing __Rotation __Other:________________
Comments:_______________________________________________________
D-16) How frequently do you rotate jobs in your area?
__Often __Sometimes __Occasionally __Never
Comments:________________________________________________________

D-17) a) In my team, we rotate fairly thru good and bad jobs: __agree __disagree
b) If disagree, what is the problem?:____________________________________

D-18) Who/what should determine job assignments or rotation in a work area?

__Supervisor __The work group democratically
__Hourly Team Leader __Seniority
__Job Classification __other:__________________________________
Comments:________________________________________________________

D-19) When team members raise issues of workload and stress, are their voices heard?
__always __sometimes __rarely __never
Comments:________________________________________________________
 E - Health & Safety
E-1) Does the company provide a safe and healthy work environment?
__Always __Usually __Only sometimes __Never
Comments:________________________________________________________

E-2) Do supervisors condone or encourage workers to ignore health & safety rules?
__never __rarely __sometimes __often __always
Comments:________________________________________________________

E-3) a) Have you ever suffered a work-related injury or illness at (employer)?

__no __yes. Describe:________________________________________
b) If yes: 1) What quality of care did the medical department provide?
__excellent __good __fair __poor
2) Were you subsequently given meaningless work so that the
company could avoid a lost-time injury report? __no __yes
3) did you dispute the companys diagnosis? __no __yes
4) a) were you put on restriction? __no __yes
b) if yes, how did your supervisor respond?
i) ___helpful and cooperative
ii)___uncooperative, put me on regular job
iii)__punished and harassed me
Comments:________________________________________________________

E-4) The companys safety prizes are given to encourage:

__safety awareness __underreporting of lost-time accidents __dont know
Comments:________________________________________________________

E-5) Which of the following best describes the companys safety meetings? (Choose one
or more):
a) __very useful, an opportunity to learn new information and give input
b) __not very useful, a captive audience meeting for company announcements
c) __a waste, irrelevant lectures and movies, little connection to actual work
d) __there are no safety meetings
e)__other:_________________________________________________________
Comments:________________________________________________________
E-6) In which of the following areas have you NOT been adequately trained, given the
demands of your job?
__asbestos removal __fall prevention __machine guarding
__bloodborne pathogens __fork truck safety __pedestrian safety
__confined space entry __hazard communication __rigging
__construction safety __emergency response __robot safety
__cranes & hoists __job safety analysis __MSDS
__ergonomics __lockout __other:___________
Comments:________________________________________________________

E-7) How important is it to you that the company develop a program to replace toxic
chemicals with safer substitutes, wherever possible?
__very important __important __not very important
Comments:________________________________________________________

E-8) a) Is your work area routinely tested for airborne contamination?

__not to my knowledge __only when requested __yes, routinely
b) If yes, do you have confidence in the results?
__yes __no. Why?______________________________________

E-9) Which of the following health and safety problems apply to your job?
__Repetitive strain injuries (hand, wrist, arm, shoulder or back)
__Stress related to tight production standards &/or JIT schedules
__Exposure to toxic chemicals
__Airborne dust / mist
__Exposure to excessive noise
__Unsafe equipment
__Other:_________________________________________________________
__None of the above
Comments:________________________________________________________